Hillcrest High School

This school was great once upon a time, however, it is quickly going downhill. Scores in all areas are plummeting. The leadership is allowing the school to continue to decline by creating an environment of hostility that causes teachers to leave. There are so many great teachers leaving and retiring this year that it is only going to get worse. It's sad to see a great school that turns into something as bad as this one has.

As a Hillcrest alumni, I will tell you that this school is truthfully an excellent school. The AP scores are substantial (and way better than woodrow's), and as long as you're a student that cares about their grades and works hard then you will succeed at this school. Basically if you slack then the teachers wont waste their time on you, but if you show interest then the teachers will help you learn. That's why this high school shapes such great minds, it forces you to do things yourself instead of having your teachers hand everything to you. Could use a better football team... basketball is great. Lots of minorities but odds are you wont have to deal with the trouble making hoodrats if you stick to ap and pre ap classes and do extra curricular. Lots of fun, truly a great high school experience all in all!
—Submitted by a student

As a student of Hillcrest High School, I can say honestly that this school is average. The only reason I gave this two stars is because of the teachers. The teachers try their best to help every student be successful and get his/her education. The students behavior is appalling. Half don't care about their education and are a roadblock in other students trying to get their education. I enjoy the after school activities and that's the only thing I like about Hillcrest. If you care about your teenager's education, don't send your teen to school here. They will be much better off somewhere else which proves my point of trying to get out of Hillcrest as fast as humanely possible.
—Submitted by a student

HHS has a lot of courses like DIgital Graphics and Animation, and other great computer classes that no other school offer. I learned so many things there and I was able to graduate in 3 years!n By taking Credit by exams, and attending their after school programs. Its all about taking in consideration what this scool has to offer, and you'll be succesful!

I am a graduate of HHS, and a graduate of College. The experience is one I will never forget. Strong community support, well knowledge instructors, just a great school overall!
—Submitted by a student

This school is full of people who care about the students and their education. They do not only act as teachers but friends as well. The student body as a whole is actually quite impressive; they all try to get along and help each other. This is in deed one of the best schools, if not the best, in DISD.
—Submitted by a student

This is one of the best school in the DISD because is not like one of those schools were there is a lot of fights. This school offers many AP courses for you to take.
—Submitted by a student

I give Hillcrest High School a 9 only because there is always room for improvement. Both of my daughters attended this school, one will graduate 2010. The Principal is great (student comes first attitude) teachers, administrative staff all awesome. GO Panthers!
—Submitted by Ruthie Soto, a parent

I think this school does not meet the needs of people with special needs. Where are these kids? Not included into regular classrooms or the level of involvement with peers is not happening. The principal remains unavailable and nothing gets done.
—Submitted by a parent

This school is simply the best!
—Submitted by Richard Negrete, a former student

The AP classes are excellent. My daughter earned 45 hours of college credit by passing her AP exams during her 4 years at Hillcrest High School. The AP teachers did a great job teaching the students the AP curriculum. The extracurricular activities are numerous so if your student wants to get involved, they can! Overall, Hillcrest High School was a great school for my daughter.
—Submitted by a parent

My feedback is primarily in regards to the teachers and the academic programs. This is my daughter's third year at Hillcrest. Every year I continue to be very gratefully impressed at how organized and dedicated the teachers are. Each time I am on campus, I feel welcome. The climate is one of acceptance, high expectations, and support. My daughter is getting an excellent education and preparation for college. The counselors are encouraging and resourceful, especially in regards to helping students get into the college of their choice. My exposure to the fine arts program has been somewhat limited. The musicals are very impressive each fall. The coaches seem very supportive of individuals' interests in the athletics programs
—Submitted by a parent

Like any big city public school, Hillcrest has to accept students of every socio-economic, ethnic and academic background. That said, they do an excellent job of providing top-level academics to the brighter students in their AP program. Last year, every student in AP calculus (25) passed the AP exam! An amazing feat. The theater program is outstanding, as is their choir. However, it is up to you to become involved and enroll in the best classes and extracurricular activities. Hillcrest has a strong PTA that raises nearly $60,000 for the school every year, but again, you must join it and attend meetings. Every public school in Texas is dealing with non-English speaking students, and Hillcrest is no different, but All students are made to feel welcome and encouraged to join a club, sport or activity. They just started a TV-film class that is producing programming for Dallas Cable TV. Good school.
—Submitted by kirby warnock, a parent

After having our children in exclusive private schools in Dallas from elementary though middle school, we decided to transfer them to Hillcrest for high school. It was the best decision we ever made! At Hillcrest, our kids were enrolled in all pre-AP and then AP courses. While their academic work load remained vigorous, we were really impressed with the character of the neighborhood kids and their families who befriended our children. Hillcrest provides a warm, caring environment in which every kid is given ample opportunity to fit in and grow up, and make contributions to numerous academic, social, athletic and service organizations. Each of our kids thanked us for transferring them to Hillcrest and tells us that the experiences received at Hillcrest enabled them not only to compete at a top academic level, but also made them more savvy in dealing comfortably with 'real world' problems.
—Submitted by a parent

Hillcrest is a jewel in the crown of public schools. Not just for Dallas, but for all public schools. Hillcrest teems with opportunity for students and parents alike. For students, whether it be academics, athletics, arts, student government, journalism, or countless other extra curriculars, there is a place to excel as well as teachers, coaches, and administrators willing to assist in any way. For parents, opportunities to volunteer, whether it be PTA, tutoring, mentoring, Site Based Management, or Athletic Association, every organization is open to any parent. The school has caring and qualified teachers, strong, supportive administrators, and a unique student body consisting of students from over 50 countries with many diversities. All of these qualities are why Hillcrest has such a long list of successful alumni scattered about the world. Hillcrest is proof that public schools not only work, but can rival private schools for quality education.
—Submitted by Anne Lindsey, a parent

Hillcrest is truly a melting pot with students from over 50 different countries represented. School facilities are older, but new library was added in '05 and more improvements on the way. Great involved PTA, though minorities are less involved that we would like. There is something for everyone if the desire is to be involved and succeed. The AP track is excellent. Theatre, music and sports programs are top notch. My daughter scored a 5 on her freshman AP exam -- so quality of teaching is excellent and students are expected to excel. Administrators are involved and caring. My children have always felt safe in both Hillcrest and Franklin Middle School. Campus is smaller now - 1,200 students so class sizes are down and more personal attention is available. If you believe in the public school system -- Hillcrest if for you!
—Submitted by Tamara Johnson, a parent

Hillcrest High School is a little secret in the big urban city of Dallas. It has a great small town feel. There is a place for every student to participate in an extra-curricular activity or sport. Neighborhood parents very involved. We wish more of our student's parents would be involved. It could be an even better school. Many AP classes offered, but not always the right track for everyone. Parents must pay attention, go to conferences, meet with teachers, counselors. All parents should do this at any high school. Our principal, Marty Crawford, is very hands-on. He knows just about every student in the school and greets them by name. He is very available to everyone. Our building is old. PTSA and Athletic Association continually working to update facilities. I wish DISD would do more. The superintendant & deputy superintendant's children go to our school. Good recommendations! Our school is special!
—Submitted by a parent

Teacher and administration quality is excellent. Student body is somewhat transient, so difficult to keep succesful. New school is going to mean a much smaller campus and improved results--the teachers will be able to teach more kids. There are plenty of activities for the kids and some difficulty getting them involved, so interested kids are very active. Student body is friendly and welcoming. Many parents not active, but the group that is is very effective and works hard to improve the school and the student experience. We have been at private schools and magnet schools and the Hillcrest experience exceeds them for most kids. No school is right for all kids, but this school works hard to reach out to everyone.
—Submitted by a parent

Fall 2006 sees a smaller Hillcrest due to the opening of new schools in North Dallas built to relieve overcrowding. In most of my son's core classes (all AP and Pre AP) there are under 20 students per class. The very active PTSA and Athletic Association have made many improvements over the last years to the facility, filling in where the school district can't. Principal Marty Crawford is leading our children towards academic excellence, with the approval and assistance of the North Dallas community. My husband and I feel fortunate to have found such a jewel - we were originally convinced only private school would do, but the schools we have entrusted our children to have have us reassured that the $250,000 we save in private school tuition will be better spent on any college that they choose to attend.
—Submitted by Amy S, a parent

Our son transferred from a Private school into Hillcrest. We have been thrilled with the AP classes and the level of teaching he has received. He particularly enjoys the small class ratio. With the new boundaries in place we hope other families will look at Hillcrest as an alternative to expensive private education and help transform it back to a much needed neighborhood school.
—Submitted by a parent